Lomond Hillrunners' Pub Run

The annual beer and pub run in Fife, this time from St Andrews to Kingskettle. Joe's report copied below - "The Lomies annual pub run is now one of the most anticipated events in the calendar year. Its not by chance that its conception was initiated around the new year period, with the idea of dragging us all back into the reality of training/running as a group again, especially after our excessive festive performances. (Some would say “let’s start the year as we mean to carry on”). Over the past years the pub runs have never been duplicated, and so it was with this year with St Andrews being nominated as our start point. Ossy came up with a provisional route that would make its way thru north east Fife, then continue on across the How of Fife to finish at the Station Inn in Kingkettle. Ann at the Station Inn had been forewarned of this invasion and agreed to put on soup and sandwiches for our eventual arrival, so all that was needed now to get this procession up and running was for the delinquents of the club to enrol. Logistically it was quite ideal to arrange as buses run regular from Glenrothes to St Andrews (and back) passing thru Kingskettle, so those that that had no intention of carrying on thru the evening once the run was complete, had regular transport back to Glenrothes and beyond. As all early plans go, it is inevitable they have to be tweaked a little here and there, and so it was, the establishments we had intended to visit. Firstly the Pitscottie Inn was no more, the Kingarroch Inn in Craigrothie was just a restaurant and to add salt to the wounds, the Strathkinness Tavern did not open its doors until 12noon. This last set back meant we had to put back our arranged meeting time in St Andrews by one hour etc. 

Well, the big day arrived and with it a little apprehension, reason being that this would be my first Lomie Pub Run and yes i’am as surprised as some of the members, but circumstances etc sometimes dictate events. Anyway, plan A was to meet at Alan Grahams in Kingkettle drop of our change of clothing and catch the 9:50 to St Andrews, and plan B would be for those that elected to make there own way and meet up with the rest of us at around 10:30/11:00 in the West Port pub/cafe for the usual pre-run Bacon Rolls. One of the many highlights that re-occur each year is Pats attention to his “completely of the scale” dress sense, and this year was no exception. We had been on the bus for around 15/20 mins when it was noticeable that Pat seemed very quiet, when we looked around we could not believe what we were seeing. He had only attached around 20 party poopers (back/front) to his running vest, well the bus was in a uproar and John Donnelly comment put us all in a even more state of laughter with “Pat the Party Pooper Bomber”. Right then, lets get down to the serious business and why we are all meeting over in the North East of Fife.

 

Phase 1 West Port pub/cafe (GR505155) Alan, Andy, David, Joe, John, Pat and Robert kick of in the above premises for Bacon Rolls etc. (delicious) Phase 2 Whey Pat Inn (GR505155) No joke, this is the name of the pub. So, after getting the solids in it was literally thru the West Port Arch, over the road and into are first pint, (taste good).

Phase 3 Whey Pat Tavern to Strathkinness Tavern (GR-458164). On leaving the Whey etc, John suggested taking the scenic route out of St Andrews, which meant going into Lade Brays and following the Kinness Burn then cutting over to the high road leading to Strathkinnss. What an inspired choice this was, not only a beautiful area within St Andrews but amazingly it revealed one of Pats early romances. It appears that in his teenage years, Pat had worked in a restaurant in the town and thru this had struck up a LIAISON with one of our female American cousins, (cordial de’tente), and all this was re-kindled as we passed thru Lade Brays. Wonderful stuff Pat, thanks for sharing it with us. So, once on the top road it was only 15/20mins to our next water station of which we hit the premises just as they opened the doors, (perfect timing). (Approx: 3 mls)

 Phase 4 Strathkinness Tavern to Ceres Inn (GR 400116) This section would be one of longest, so with the weather quite mild them that had shorts with them decided to discard with the lycra and on with the shorts. With knowing this area well, my suggestion was and accepted that we take in part of the local (mid-week) race route passing thru Bonfield and then continue along into Blebocraigs. This then leads down into the wee hamlet of Kemback with its 17th century church and all that. A short run down from Kemback leads us into Dura Den, another small community of about dozen dwelling, and unfortunately was recently on national TV for all the wrong reasons. After days of heavy rain, the weir that sits just above the cottages/houses got blocked with all the debris that flooded down the burn, with catastrophic consequence, the water was re-routed onto the road and apart from severely damaging a number of properties, also took a large section of the road away. After a brief stop for some photo’s it was on and up to the main road at Pitscottie were we turned right and along the last stretch into Ceres. We had decided beforehand to have a prolonged stay in the Ceres Inn and take in lunch and extra refreshments, (2 pints). So comfortable that we were that Ossy had to remind us of our mission, but still, the beer was good, the darts were good (hey Robert/John) and the company as ever was hilarious. Just a quick mention about the landlord who could not have been more accommodating, he not only allowed us to consume are own food in his pub, but also advised us the local conve: store supplied ample sandwiches etc if needed. ( approx 6/7 mls).  

Phase 5 Ceres Inn to Springfield Tavern (GR 342119). On leaving the Ceres Inn John noticed that Alan have somehow sneaked away stealth like, and after a quick check up and down the roads decided to proceed along our next planned route. This would follow the Hill of Tarvit race route from the car park up and over paths tracks and lanes until we reached a beautiful stone bridge across the Craigrothie Burn. In the race itself you have as many runners going thru the burn as going over the bridge. From here its a short climb up the farm track onto the Tarvit/Ceres road, it was about here that a woman walking her dog mentioned that a runner had asked her up on the road if she had come across a group of athletes. It was then that we knew that Alan must have run out of the village along the Cupar road and then swung left along the Tarvit road, at least we knew he was going in the right direction. Anyway, we turned right along the road for about 400m then a left into the Tarvit grounds which would take us past Tarvit House, here one would normally swing into the car park and thru the small wooded area before ascending Hill of Tarvit itself. As time was getting on we carried along to the west exit of the grounds and right onto the Craigrothie/Cupar road which gave us a 200m run along before turning left down along a quite back section that led down to the crossroad with the main Cupar/Glenrothes road. It was possible to cut out this last road section by crossing over the road at the west exit and following the track along to Scotstarvit Tower, but not sure of the route down from here to the crossroads we went for safety, (laugh). From the x-road it was a short run into Springfield and a much needed bit of re-hydration, and the possibility of re-grouping with are wanderer. Inside the pub we were greeted no only by Alan but also by Jabba (inc: hip flask) who had been chauffeured up from Glenrothes by Diedrie, his better half. Alan’s explanation for his solo section was he came out of the pub and not seeing no one assumed we had moved on, but we were all still inside, and not fully aware of our intended route decided to played safe, (another laugh). Well it all turned out fine and from now on in it will be more or less a strait run into Ladybank?. (approx 5 mls).

 

Phase 6 Springfield Tavern to Ladybank Tavern (GR306097) This section was left in the capable hand of Andy who informs us that he trains along this route regularly, (with a refreshment station at either end, not surprised to here its one of his favourites). It was only a short run from the pub along the main drag, before a left turn had us approaching an almost strait landrover track that ran parallel with the main Cupar/Ladybank rail line. Not much navigation to do here? but with the evening drawing in and head torches out and beaming, (2 of us had forgotten them) it did turn into a little bit more technical especially after entering Sweethome and Sunnybraes woods. But as true Lomie, we managed thru with little difficulty and staggered into the tavern a little after 5pm. It was here that David gave Ann at the Station Inn a call, just to give her some idea of the time that we would be arriving so the soup/sandwiches will be ready. First we have to finish of in here, and what a finish it was, apart from the usual refreshment we also consumed three large silver trays of chips. ( just what the doc ordered). (approx 2/3mls). 

Phase 7 Ladybank Tavern to Station Inn (Kingskettle) (GR307084). So this was it, a strait run along the road into the village with the knowledge that the easy part was almost over and the more demanding part of the day still to be conquered. At the initial planning stage of this sortie, Alan and Andy had intimated that as we are going to finish in Kingskettle they would be more that happy to offer shower/changing facility’s if needed. This was very generous of them and was gladly welcomed by one and all. As we entered the village it started to rain slightly, but hey, it did’nt matter as we had just spent the day running in shorts and t-shirts in very mild conditions. (approx 1/2ml)

 Phase 8 Station Inn (the finale) ( GR-who cares?) We all seemed to convene at Ann’s Abode smack on 7pm, and what a welcome they gave us as we entered the bar, staff as well as the regular punters cheered and applauded which was much appreciated. So this was it, the night was young with plenty of hours to make up for semi-abstention we imposed throughout the day, and to chill and ease out all the effort/energy we all put into making 2013 pub run memorable. No sooner had we all sat down with our first pint, (or was it the 7th?) Ann was strait in with her hand made sandwiches/home made soup which where plentiful and delicious. Again, the Station Inn had excelled in making the Lomond Hill Runners more than welcome, and we thank Ann & Jock for all there effort they have put in and mega patience they must have to put up with a group of reprobates (laugh). The evening seemed to fly by with plenty of the usual consumed, and of course the inevitable discussions/opinions covering a wide range of topics. (not a good idea with drink involved). Donald made an appearance for a couple, but as the evening drew on the local guys started to drift away and the usual scallywags hung in there until the last minute before ordering taxis, thus hoping Ann would take pity on us and grant us some light refreshment until our transport arrived etc.

 

Phase 9 Summarization ( GR-**** *** ) The whole day from start to finish (inc: evening) turned out superb, much better than we had anticipated, after all, was this not the “raison d’etre” for the conception initially. There was a couple of long sections between re-hydration, but with having a bigger percentage off road than on it and doubling up in the Ceres Inn, did eliminate any anxiety that we may have had before the day began. I myself enjoyed every minute of it from the moment we picked Pat up, then over to Falkland to collect Dave/Robert and on to Alan’s place to park up and group up with the rest of this motley crew. The short bus ride up to St Andrews, well, Cheers Pat for that hilarious moment, another classic mate. All the runs/route where very reasonable under foot with no injury’s/problems to mention, at least not to my knowledge, and the weather also smiled kindly on us which certainly make it even more enjoyable. And the conclusion of it must be one of the best, as for some of us, just a short taxi ride back to “The Dark Side of the Moon”. Stats: Distance ran 19/20 miles. Pints on run 6. "